Typical opportunities

Typical outline job descriptions and salaries in the yachting industry.

Deckhand

Positions always available on both Power and Sailing yachts with very varied mixture of work depending of size and type of boat. Duties likely to include guest care, tender driving, cleaning, routine maintenance, painting and varnishing etc. You will be expected to help with some interior duties such as silver service, bar work, clearing etc. The care and use of watersports equipment can also be a large part of the job.

Salary: $1500 - $2500 per month, tax free, food and accommodation included as well as medical insurance etc. N.B. Charter boats will generally include tips (10-15% of boats charter fee split among the crew) which can easily double your pay packet when guests are on board.

1st Mate / Bosun

Often required to deputize for the Captain / Skipper, run the boat in their absence and make sure that all routine tasks are completed. Likely to be involved in the management of the crew and in particular, the Deckhands. Likely to be the logistics coordinator on board.

Salary: Very dependant on size of boat but $2500 - $6000 per month with tips if charter boat or loyalty bonus if private vessel. Medical insurance etc. as above.

Yacht Engineer / Marine Engineer

Responsible for the running and operation of the yachts systems and engines, fixing all plant and machinery and running scheduled maintenance. Will be required to service engines and generators etc. and assist in yard work / refit work if necessary. Sometimes responsibility for electrical equipment, nav aids, galley equipment and audio visual technology is required. Often non qualified engineers are required to work on sailing yachts, the money will be less but the job more varied and more time for sailing (on deck) is a benefit.

Salary: As always, size of vessel dependant and tips and bonuses as 1st Mate. $3000 - $6000 per month.

Yacht Cook / Yacht Chef

Responsible for the preparation, presentation and serving of all meals aboard. Must be able to cook in a confined space, underway with the minimum of fuss. Also responsible for the victualing and ships stores, dietary specialties and nutritional requirements.

Salary: $3000 - $6000 per month. Tax free and tips on charter boats.

Yacht Steward / Yacht Stewardess

Often combined with the cooks (or crew cook) role. Duties will include 'cabin craft' / cleaning, laundry, guest care, medical requirements, drinks, bar, meal service, inventories etc.

Salary: $2000 - $4000 per month. Tax free and tips on charter vessels.

Skipper / Captain

The top job! Responsible for everything. If it's not right, it's your fault. Specifically: safe conduct of vessel and crew, navigation, finances, guest care, refits, logistics, maintenance programme, inventory, customs procedures, insurances, the law, tax, hiring and firing, etc. You will be required to work very closely with and have a very good understanding of the requirements of, the owner.

Salary: Completely dependant on the owner, the value of the yacht, it's size, crew and itinerary. Typically $3000 - $10000 per month with bonuses.

Flotilla Skipper

Responsible for the running, sailing, maintenance, guest care and operation of a yacht or entire flotilla (up to 20 yachts). Working with an engineer and host/hostess, you will organise everything from route planning to entertainment's, guest briefings to maintenance. There are often commissions to be earned from restaurants and social visits which help to boost the fairly low salary. Excellent personal sailing opportunities and a great way to build miles and experience.

Salary: £100 -£250 per week depending on the company and location. Often reasonable tips.

Flotilla Engineer

Responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of all the yachts in the flotilla and all of their equipment. Repairs often completed underway and at anchorage at night. Also likely to assist the guests with operating systems, power handling, equipment use etc.

Salary: £100 -£250 per week depending on the company and location. Often reasonable tips.

Flotilla 'Host'

Responsible for the care of all flotilla guests. Likely to liaise with local restaurants and attractions for group visits, coordinate weekly airport transfers, medical issues, complaints, entertainment etc.

Salary: £80 - £150 per week.

Yacht Instructor (shore based)

The big holiday companies often run day sailing aboard cruising yachts at their beach bases. As the yacht Instructor, you will live aboard the yacht but stay in the same marina every night (no guest accommodation aboard). You will be involved with the overall beach programme and evening entertainment's with the rest of the base staff. Lots of opportunities for personal sailing including dinghies and windsurfing.

Salary: £80 - £150 per week.

Delivery Skipper

Often long distances, some times short-handed and therefore a bit of a strain! You are your own boss (with no guests to worry about) but it is up to you to make sure that the boat gets there safely and on time. The hardest thing to deal with is the weather of which you have no control.

Salary: Travel expenses are usually paid along with food etc on board. Freelance Skippers negotiate their own pay and it varies dependant on the type and size of boat and the duration of the trip. Very rough estimate is £1 per mile. If working for a specialist delivery company, expect to do 2 or 3 trips as a volunteer crew member before being let loose as a paid skipper.

Charter Skipper (or Charter Couple)

May include commands of 35 60ft yachts (often catamarans as their popularity increases) operating in the Mediterranean or Caribbean. Very different to working on a private vessel as high turnover of guests with a fast turn around at the end of a charter. Often a very busy schedule as '1 or 2 week' guests will want to pack a lot in to their holiday. Many couples work together as a team in order to run the boat and prepare and serve all food aboard.

Salary: Circa £13000 pa per person but likely to at least double in tips.

Yachtmaster Instructor

A commercial Yachtmaster with a cruising instructor endorsement (one day assessment?) can teach up to Dayskipper level on behalf of an RYA school.

Salary: Taking responsibility for teaching RYA syllabus and up to 5 students for typically 5 day or 2 weekend courses at a time. Pay likely to be £50 - £90 per day for freelance Skippers. With 7000 miles and a seasons teaching experience you will become eligible for the RYA's Yachtmaster Instructor Course and successful Skippers can command £65 to £100 per day teaching up to Yachtmaster level.Daily rate may reduce if full time contracts are secured but overall benefits will increase.

Marina Manager

General responsibilities will include berthing arrangements, bookings, services and repairs, customer liaison, cash handling, staffing etc. A huge growth area at the moment, skillful managers can keep their marina's full and paying all year round.

Salary: Very dependant on size of marina and services but typically £18 - £30